Author's Notes: As promised our couple patch things up and have a more successful encounter. Reviews are really appreciated.
Part 12
Age 12 Years 8 Months
Outside the door of the bridal suite, Jack hesitated and then knocked. Although Sam had said she didn't want to see him, he wanted to apologize again and see if she needed anything before he went to sleep in the car. Maybe if she wasn't quite so mad, he would ask her if she would consider going on the picnic Sofia was organizing for them tomorrow. Despite Sofia telling Jack that Samantha wanted to speak to him, he rather doubted she was correct. Even though Jack had listened thoroughly to Konstantine's explanation of what happened, he wasn't sure Samantha would see it that way.
The door opened and Samantha looked at Jack. His expression looked so sad and defeated that her heart ached. Earlier she had promised to love and comfort him for all her life and in less than one day she betrayed that vow. All the hateful things she told him, echoed through her mind and she remembered how he tried to apologize to her. Jack had promised to always take care of her and in her heart of hearts she knew he would never intentionally hurt her.
"Samantha, I-"
"Oh Jack!" Samantha cried out interrupting him.
Flinging herself in his arms, she nearly knocked him over. A moment later they were in the room sitting on the end of the bed. As they held one another, they both sobbed apologies to each other. Each desperate to make the other understand how much they regretted their actions. Amid the tears, they each promised to try harder.
"The book didn't say it would hurt you, I never would have-"
"But I wanted to and I didn't know either. Sofia says I'll like it next time."
"Please don't hate me," Jack pleaded.
Planting kisses on his face, Samantha assured him, "Never. I love you. Forgive me for doubting you. I know you would die before ever hurting me on purpose."
"Just please don't stop loving me Samantha," Jack begged. "We don't have to ever do that again I promise. I'll be happy if you just let me hold you and kiss you."
Smiling shyly, Samantha replied, "Sofia assures me that it's better the second time. Maybe we could try it again some time. I- I really liked the way it felt up until when it hurt and Sofia told me it's like that and better after the first time."
"Sometime," Jack responded non-commitally. After tonight's disaster he was in no hurry to try that again. Samantha was talking to him and still loved him, there was no way he was going to do anything to jeopardize that.
"Earlier, we promised to treat each other with love, patience and understanding. Tonight I didn't do that and didn't give you a chance to. I love you, can you forgive me for being mean earlier?"
"There's nothing to forgive," Jack told her.
Their lips met in a kiss, which he pulled away from after only a moment. Samantha sighed realizing tonight's set back was going to take some work to undo. After assuring Jack she wanted him to stay he got out pajamas and went into the bathroom to put them on. Part of her wanted to try and get him to try lovemaking again tonight, but she was still a little sore and with Jack pulling back from a kiss it was unlikely she could persuade him.
When Jack came out of the bathroom, he mentioned hesitantly, "Sofia wanted to make up a picnic for us and a map to a nice spot where there are wild roses."
"I'd love it!" Samantha exclaimed. "Do you want to go?"
Her enthusiasm relaxed Jack slightly and he smiled, "Very much. I've never been on a picnic."
Climbing into bed, Samantha waited for Jack to climb in beside her. Wrapping her arms around him, she whispered softly, "I would love to go with you. I love you so much Jack."
Still a little tense, but slightly happier Jack kissed her goodnight. For several hours the pair lay awake holding each other and listening to one anothers breathing in the darkness.
In the morning, they were awoken by a knock at the door, Jack got up and answered. Sofia came in with a breakfast tray for them and handed Jack a piece of paper, "Here is the map. Have your breakfast and get dressed. Stop at restaurant in half and an hour and I give you picnic. Romantic for honeymooners, yes?"
"Thank you," Jack told her as she left. He didn't feel much like a honeymooner, but Samantha gave him a happy smile and his mood instantly lifted. Joining her on the bed he accepted a bite of toast she held up to him.
"Do you think the roses will still be blooming?"
"It's kind of late in the year, but the climate here is warmer than back in Ohio, so maybe," Jack answered. "What does one do on a picnic exactly?"
"You walk, you eat, you talk. Nothing you won't be able to handle," Samantha teased.
Jack sat the tray on a table near the door, when Samantha beckoned him over to the bed.
"What?"
"My husband hasn't kissed me yet today," Samantha pretended to pout.
"That scoundrel!" Jack laughed and moved to kiss her.
Leaning over the bed, he kissed her and lost his balance as her arms wrapped around him and pulled him down on top of her.
"Jack," Samantha moaned slightly.
Instantly, Jack pulled back and mumbled that he needed to get dressed. Samantha got in her bag and looked for something to wear. Normally she would wear jeans on a picnic, but today she chose a dress and a pair of flat sandals. Her husband might be playing hard to get, but Samantha was determined to try sex again and work past last night's unpleasantness one way or another.
After they were dressed and it was time to pick up their picnic, Samantha followed Sofia into the kitchen while Jack was loading the basket. "Sofia? What do I do if he doesn't want to try uh, you know what again?"
Sofia laughed, "Ah, you asked and he refused? Just take your dress off after lunch and I think it will be happy."
Shooting the older woman a look of disbelief, Samantha walked out the car where Jack was holding her door. After he started the car, she slid close to him and waited for him to put his arm around her. For several moments he sat stiffly trying not to hold her close, then slowly held her like he had before as she curled around him. They drove following the map out of town until they reached their destination.
"Sofia said we'll have to walk the rest of the way, shall I get the basket?" Jack asked.
Samantha nodded and offered to carry the enormous blanket which was perched awkwardly on top of the large hamper. When Jack inquired if such large blankets were customary for a picnic, Samantha said nothing. She had a pretty good idea of why Sofia sent such a large blanket and didn't want to alert Jack to her plans. Walking along they followed a wide dirt path that wove between trees until they came at last to a small clearing.
"Jack!" Samantha gasped with pleasure at the fairytale scene.
Large trees hung with beards of Spanish Moss shaded the clearing. A small pond sparkled in the sunlight surrounded by lush green grass. Throughout the clearing a tangle of wild rose bushes grew tall with crimson blossoms. Some of the roses had vined up the trees and a small cascade of petals seemed to be raining down from the heavens. The spot was pure enchantment. Jack sat the picnic hamper down and looked around. Putting the blanket on top of the hamper, Samantha grabbed his hand and pulled him over to a particularly large rose bush.
"Oh Jack it's so beautiful!"
Caught up in the moment, Jack's caution fled as he replied, "You're beautiful."
Relief coursed through Samantha when Jack kissed her the way he normally did. Though he didn't kiss her again right away, she felt encouraged. They walked around the clearing holding hands and finally spread out the blanket and opened the hamper. At the top was a bottle of Champagne and a pair of glasses. Neither of them had ever drank except for the one drink Jack had last night with Konstantine; but it was their honeymoon and surely it wouldn't hurt to try it. The food was an assortment of cheese and cold basil chicken with bread on the side.
After they finished their lunch, Samantha packed the hamper and moved it off the blanket. Both of them were slightly giggly from the Champagne. Neither were actually drunk simply light and happy. Samantha took a large sip for courage and stood up. As she started to undress, Jack's attention instantly moved from the pond to her.
"Samantha, what are you doing?"
Removing her dress and kicking off her sandals she had only her pale pink bra and panties on, "Taking my clothes off."
Panicking slightly, Jack asked "Why? Samantha put your clothing back on, someone could see you!"
"The only person who's going to see me is you," she replied and removed her bra.
"But it's daytime. We don't have to try and- Reverend Franklin said a considerate Christian husband wouldn't ask that more than once or twice a week. A-And only at night."
Pulling her panties off, she knelt down beside Jack. "I don't want a considerate Christian husband. I want my Jack. Besides you said we were above most people. Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. What could be a more traditional beginning than Eden itself."
Before he could answer, Samantha captured his mouth with hers. In the back of her mind she hoped Sofia was right that this would work and be nice, because she'd never done anything to bold in her life! When Jack pulled his mouth away, Samantha feared he was going to reject her, but instead he gently pushed her back on the blanket and began to kiss her neck. His hands moved to cup her breasts and she moaned as his hands began to rouse her.
"Samantha, are you sure you want to? I'll love you no matter what."
Moving her hands to unbutton his shirt, she responded, "I want to Jack. I love you and I want you to make love to me. This is the first day of our married life, I think it's time we learn. Remember, love-"
"Patience."
And in unison they said, "And understanding."
Laughing gently, their lips met in a slow kiss. As their hands moved over one another, the world and last night's disaster faded away. When Samantha removed Jack's shirt, she smiled, being able to truly see him made things more exciting. Nervous excitement shot through her when she unbuttoned Jack's pants and felt his hardness. Anxiously she urged him out of his pants and before he could argue, pulled his underwear off.
Pausing a moment, she looked at her husband's naked body in the light of day. He reminded her of a picture she saw in an artbook of Michelangelo's David, well there was one big difference, Samantha decided as she caressed Jack's swelling manhood. As they kissed, the scent of roses filled the air and Samantha wished they could stay their forever just as they were. Jack's hands and mouth felt so nice. Today she returned his caresses and explored him with her mouth. When his hand moved between her legs, a shudder of pleasure shook her and made her nip his neck in surprise.
"Sorry," she murmured.
Panting slightly, he told her, "Don't be. I liked it."
Samantha moved her mouth along his neck nibbling a little harder than she normally did. Once at the orphanage she'd overheard a couple female staff members discussing love bites and how they were made. Tenuously, Samantha began to suck on Jack's neck, thrilled when she heard him whimper her name. Jack's hand continued to tease between her legs and she felt light headed, suddenly she arched against him, crying his name out in surprise and pleasure. Her cries brought a smile to Jack's face and slowly he covered her body with his. Looking at Samantha, he sought permission to continue.
"Please Jack," Samantha begged.
Slowly, Jack pushed inside her. This time she didn't feel pain, there was a slight twinge as she stretched around him and then a delicious sensation of being filled where she'd never even realized she had a void. Watching her face intently, Jack felt relieved when Samantha smiled at him and wrapped her legs around him. Moving slowly against one another they learned to move with one another, much like they had when Jack taught her to dance. With rose petals cascading around them, their cries mingled together again and again as they discovered pleasure...
